For most of us, the thought of having six months off, away from work, away from the daily pressures and with nothing but time with the family is rather tantalizing.

For Stephen Ames, a professional golfer from Trinidad and Tobago by way of Boca Raton College and now Calgary, the six months he was off from work, from January to May, felt like jail time.

Ames, who gave up his European Tour card in 1998 to pursue the American dream on the U.S. tour, felt he was ready to take on the best competition in the world. Problem was, thanks to the State Department, Ames was forced to wait nearly six months for his visa and couldn’t play because he wasn’t allowed into America.

With the visa finally having come through last month, Ames is faced with trying to finish within the top 125 for the year in order to keep his PGA Tour card for 2000 with only six months of tournaments at his avail.

This is why, to say the least, it would be quite a statement for Ames if he’s able to keep it going into the weekend of the Buick Classic.

The 36-year-old Ames, who’s never won in America and hasn’t won since 1996 (the Benson & Hedges Invitational Open in Europe), stamped a 6-under-par 65 on the board to be the rabbit and take the first-round lead at Westchester Country Club.

Ames is being chased by New Zealander Frank Nobilo, who shot a 5-under 66, Jim Carter (no Presidential relation), who carded a 4-under 67, and Tom Byrum, Jay Haas, Steve Pate and Greg Chalmers, who are in with 3-under 68s.

Among the big names in the tournament, several of them are lurking well within distance to take over on the weekend. Two-time Buick Classic winner Ernie Els shot a 2-under 69, as did Fred Couples. David Duval, the No. 1 player in the world, shot a 1-under 70 as did Jeff Maggert and Jim Furyk. Two-time U.S. Open winner Lee Janzen is even as is Justin Leonard.

So there are some winners of majors in the way of Ames’ American Deam.

For Ames, a win here would assure him of having his American PGA Tour card through 2001 and it would put $450,000 in his pocket. But first things first, like the second, third and final rounds.

“I’ve shot these numbers before,” Ames said. “The statement would be if I have an opportunity to win the tournament on Sunday.”

While he waited at home in Canada for his visa to come through, Ames said he practiced indoors, trying to keep fit.

“Playing indoors and playing out here in the sunlight and on grass is a completely different atmosphere,” he said.

Ames said he “completely ignored” the PGA Tour while he was waiting for his visa.

“I hated to be watching it knowing what I’m capable of doing and watching the other players,” Ames said. “It would have been eating me inside.”

Last year, Ames was afforded weekly entry into the country so that he could play 16 tournaments. He finished third in his very first event, the 1998 Nissan Open, and eventually finished 83rd on the money list, qualifying him for his 1999 card.

Problem was the State Department wouldn’t give him those weekly visas this year and he had to apply for a yearly.

Asked if he can remember the last time he started a tournament 6-under and with the lead, Ames said, “No. No I can’t. I can’t think of that. I can’t remember.”

Byrum, who had the first tee time of the morning, said he hoped to shoot another three 68s. “I’d like my chances with those,” he said.

Then, referring to the later rounds, he added, “It’s going to be an exceptional round to be 5-under today.”

Ames, who was exceptional yesterday, will be a compelling story to watch as the rest of this tournament unfolds.